“Where is that damned alarm clock.  I’ll kill it,”  I growled

“It’s safe between my legs,” Pam cooed.

“No fair I want my revenge,” I protested.

“Stay here, Grouchy while I bring our coffee.”  Pam got out of bed and swayed her little butt leaving the bedroom.  That changed my attitude.

“Are you still grumpy?” She was standing by the bed holding the coffee and making her tits swing.

“No coffee, want titty,” I demanded.

“Coffee now, titty later.  Here hold our mugs.”  Pam slid in next to me.

When I handed her the mug of coffee, she spread her arms, “Okay, here.  But not too long.”  I caressed her tit, but when I bent over to suck it, the arms stopped me.

“You have an appointment with Jack and his boss this morning.  You need to be sharp not worn out,” Pam reasoned.

“How about just a little groggy?”  I begged.  Pam just looked at me, rats.

“Is this about Vargass Pass or Kinkade?  I want to be certain all of the info is uploaded.  I’m ninety-eight percent sure, but since this is a first, I want it perfect,”  Pam sipped her coffee.

“Yes, Vargass Pass.  There are a couple of tight spots Jack wants to go over.  And since I was on site, he and his boss thought it a good idea to meet.  The meeting is at ten.”  I sipped my coffee and inhaled the aroma.

“Good, you have enough time for a nice breakfast and get ready.  Is this business casual or Prom night?” Pam chuckled.

“Business casual.  I don’t think Jennings or Lupton will be there.  I’m sure this is going to go smoothly.”  More coffee.

Pam kissed my cheek and got out of bed.  I got out on the other side and we made the bed.  She took my mug to the kitchen with her for a refill.  I went to the bathroom to shave. 

I was just starting to lather my face when Pam came in with my coffee.  She still had not dressed.  She set the mug on the back of the toilet and wrapped her arms around my waist.

“You look so hot when you shave, Mr. Macho,” she whispered in my ear, then licked it.

“You know what’s going to happen, don’t you?”  I looked at her through her reflection in the mirror.

“Um-hum.  And I love it when it happens.  You take over and I surrender,” She kissed my shoulder and left.

I finished shaving and then got partially dressed.  Pam had breakfast ready.  One of her homemade omelets.  Ham, bacon, cheese, mushrooms, onions, and three eggs.  One of these days I won’t fit through the garage door.

I finished dressing, Pam inspected me for any final touches that may be necessary.  She held my shirt peered into my eyes, and kissed me. 

“You’ll do,” she smiled.

I picked up my briefcase and gave her another kiss, then it was out the door.  I was excited about the meeting.  It would be the first time the two businesses would merge.

At nine-fifty, I walked into Nancy’s office.  She is very pleasant and professional.  She suggested that I make myself at home with a cup of coffee while she located Miss Timbrook.  Just as she left, Jack came in.

“Man, when you say ten o’clock, you mean it.  How are you this morning, Mark?”  We shook hands and I followed him to his office.

 Jack and I were setting things up when Miss Timbrook joined us.  Introductions were made and we got down to business. I was showing them the two places I was concerned about.  Miss Timbrook was asking questions and Jack was giving his opinions.

We were deep in our discussion when Nancy came into the room.

“Miss Timbrook, Kathy Williams wants to speak with you.  She is quite upset and said she will not take no for an answer.”  Nancy waited for her response.

Miss Timbrook’s office is adjacent to Jack’s so we could hear what was being said.  A guy named Ted Fields was making rude comments about Kathy and inappropriate gestures behind her back.

“I don’t want to go to HR with this, but if I have to I will,” Kathy was mad as hell.

Miss Timbrook turned to Nancy, “Have Carolyn join us please.” Her tone was serious.

“I have her on the phone now, Ma’am,” Nancy responded.

When Caroly joined us, Kathy made no bones about what was going on.  She was emphatic in her statement and said she had others who would collaborate with her statements.  Nancy noticed the doors were not closed and notified Miss Timbrook.

“I don’t care,” Kathy was steamed, “Jack and Mark are my friends.  What you have to say you can say in front of them.”  Kathy’s mind was not going to be changed.

They continued the conversations and Nancy took notes for Carolyn.  After they were finished, Kathy went back to work and we continued to assess the issues at Vargass Pass.  At four forty-five, Miss Timbrook called it a day and was quite pleased with the overall progress.

Jack and I walked out to our cars when Jack pointed out Ted Fields.

“That’s the guy.  I can’t say anyone is close to him.  He’s a shit disturber that’s for sure.

“Jack, I’ll – a – I’ll catch up with you later,”  I said as I patted him on his shoulder.

“Mark don’t get too carried away.  Mark, did you hear me?  Oh shit,” Jack said under his breath and walked to his car.

I walked up to Fields and said hello.  “My name is Mark, I was just hired on.  Can I buy you a beer and maybe you can show me the ropes.”

“Yeah, sure man. I’m Ted Fields.  Stick with me and you’ll be just fine around the shithole,”  he pointed across the street to a small bar.

“Won’t your wife have dinner?  You wouldn’t want to be late,” I was fishing for this guy's attitude.

“Aw hell, she can just wait.  She’s not that good of a cook anyway,”  we entered the Grey Wolf bar.

We found a table, Ted whistled for the server.  She looked very unhappy to see him.

“Yes, sir,” she said flatly.

“Bring two beers and we want them today.”  He looked at me and nodded.  This guy is an A-number-one asshole.

I gave the server a pleasant smile, which she returned.  After a few minutes, she returned with our beer.  She sat mine down first, then Ted’s.  I smiled and thanked her, Ted just smirked.

Ted started and occupied the conversation.  He was so full of himself, I had no idea where he put the beer.  He downed his then hollered for the server.  She just smiled at him.

He continued his monologue about his wonderfulness, the server brought the beer.  I got mine first and smiled at her, Ted never stopped talking about Ted.

He was taking a long pull on his beer and I jumped in.

“Hey, man.  Did your old man ever give you any advice growing up? Mine did.”  He gulped the beer and then put the bottle down with a thud.

“Yeah, he did.  He said to always be honest and put your cards face up on the table,”  he chugged more beer.  “What did your old man tell you?”

“Well, he said to never threaten anyone and never break a promise,”  I smiled and took a pull from my beer.

“Hey this is good advice,” Ted agreed.

“Yeah.  As a matter of fact, remember that, because what I am going to tell you is not a threat – it-is-a-promise.  If you say or do anything else in front of or behind Kathy William’s back, a doctor is going to have to decide how long you will be in the ICU.  Remember, that is not a threat, that is a promise, you asshole,”  I stared at a frozen Ted Fields.

“Are you threat,” I stopped him.

“NO, asshole.  I never threaten anyone.  I made a promise to you, and remember I will not break a promise.”  I continued to stare at Fields.

The blood drained from his face and he sat back in his chair.  His hands trembled a little.  I stood up and got ready to leave.

“Remember my promise, you son of a bitch.  See ya in the funny papers,” I marched out of the bar.

I drove home cautiously since I was so pissed off.  I pulled into the garage and retrieved my briefcase.  I walked into the house, my girl was at the door looking beautiful.

“Hi, Babe,” and I gave her a peck on her lips.  Pam stopped me before I could go any farther.

“Mark, what’s up?”  She was serious.

“Nothing important,”  I tried to skirt the issue.

“Mark Compton, you are lord and master of this house, but I am your woman.  That gives me certain rights and privileges.”  Pam stared at my face.

“Now, I want to know what, oh shit.  Oh shit.  You promised someone, didn’t you?  Mark, talk to me.  What happened?”  Pam was getting impatient fast.

“Let me go to the john, get a beer and I’ll meet you in the living room,”  I said quietly.

“Oh, shit, and you talking quietly.  You are passed pissed.  I’ll get the beer and meet you in the living room,”  Pam went to the fridge, and I went to the john.

I put on some comfy clothes and joined Pam in the living room.  She watched me come in and sit down.  She handed me a beer and sat back, waiting.  Her phone interrupted the silence.

Pam answered it.  “Hello?  Yes, he’s home.  He is hot as hell.  He made a promise.  That’s what I said.  We’re going to talk about it now.  I know he will, he just has to cool down.  Thanks for calling, Jack,” Pam ended the call.

“That was Jack, as you probably guessed.”  Pam was not smiling.

“What did he say?”  I asked her.

“He said ‘Oh Shit’, now what happened?”  She was not to be denied.

I calmly told Pam the entire story.  I said she could verify it with Jack, Nancy, or Miss Timbrook.  I told her what an asshole Fields is and how little he thinks of his wife.  In my mind, I don’t know which part of Fields pisses me off more.

“You’re too calm.  You’re still pissed, I know you, Mark.”  Pam was still serious.  “Another beer, Baby?”  I nodded my head.

Pam returned with a fresh beer and handed it to me.  “What can I do?”  She was being a good woman.

“Come here,” I said and pulled Pam close to me. 

I put my arm around her she put her head on my shoulder and rubbed my chest.

“You’re good medicine, Baby,” I said to her and kissed her head.

“Mark, you’re a good man, an honest man.  Not many people stand up for another unless they’re right there.  I just get nervous when your system begins to boil, you forget how strong you are.  And those nights at the gym with your instructor only add to your ability to defend or harm someone.”  Pam kissed my chest.

“I know, Pam, but what he was saying about Kathy was rude and some were crude.  Take away the friendship angle, she’s a lady and his actions don’t fly with me.”  I took a long pull from my beer.

“Are you finished with your beer?” Pam’s voice was calming.

“Yeah, I don’t want another one, thank you,” I squeezed her.

“Come on, Baby.  Come into the bedroom with me.”  Pam got up and took me by the hand.

She had me sit on the bed, she got some lotion from her vanity, then removed my tee shirt.

“Lay down on your tummy.  Go on, lay down.”  She gently pushed me down.

Pam put some of the lotion into the palm of her hand and rubbed her hands together to warm it.  Her hands felt so soft even through the lotion.  She rubbed my back from my shoulders to my waist.  With each pass of her hands, I began to drift off.

I remember she kissed my cheek and covered me.  That’s all I remember.

Departed Soul